From New Orleans Pelicans On SI · · 2m
Pelicans' New Top Priority Centers Around Jeremiah Fears
Pelicans choose Jeremiah Fears as starting point guard to build around.
In brief
Pelicans choose Jeremiah Fears as starting point guard to build around. New Orleans Pelicans will start Jeremiah Fears to test if he can become franchise player after seven years of building around Zion Williamson. Originally reported by New Orleans Pelicans On SI.
Pelicans' seven-year build
The New Orleans Pelicans have spent seven years trying to figure out how to build around Zion Williamson.
Chris Paul's legacy
Chris Paul ran the offense. Byron Scott trusted him to lead his team on both ends of the floor.
Hornets' 2008 peak
In 2008, New Orleans won 56 games and came within one victory of the Western Conference finals.
Current direction
Jamahl Mosley and Jeremiah Fears give the Pelicans a chance to establish a new direction.
Fears' responsibility
Fears has shown an appetite for responsibility. Mosley has praised his toughness and work ethic.
Make Fears starter
Make Fears the starting point guard.
Fears' potential
He has plenty to learn before anyone can reasonably call him a franchise player.
The lesson from Paul and Scott
When the Hornets selected Paul fourth overall in 2005, they were coming off an 18-64 season.
Paul's impact
Scott put his rookie in charge. Paul started all 78 games he played, and the Hornets improved to 38 wins.
Paul's role
Paul showed immediately that he belonged in front. Fears hasn't demonstrated that same command of an offense.
The case for a different foundation
Anthony Davis became an elite successor to Paul and led New Orleans to its only other playoff series victory.
Williamson's challenges
Williamson arrived with the talent to take the franchise even further. Seven seasons later, he still hasn't played in a playoff game.
Fears' adaptability
He can attack in the pick-and-roll, push the pace, and create opportunities for wings when help defenders step toward his drives.
Fears' scoring
His scoring is expanding beyond the rim, with pull-ups and three-poointers giving him more ways to challenge a defense.
Dumars' view
Joe Dumars praised Fears' talent and makeup and made clear that youth alone wouldn't determine his role.
Fears' ambition
Fears wants to be top-two point guard of all time.
“I would definitely say top-two point guard of all time”
Make the responsibility meaningful
Mosley gives the Pelicans a credible teacher. His Orlando teams finished third in defensive rating in 2023-24.
Fears' next step
Fears needs enough responsibility for those lessons to matter.
At a glance
New Orleans Pelicans will start Jeremiah Fears to test if he can become franchise player after seven years of building around Zion Williamson.
